A team with a passion for property
Highwood is an award-winning property developer and we’re proud to have shaped the way people look at housing, care and retirement construction with our innovative, sustainable approach and considerate building schemes.
None of this would have been possible without the incredible talent in our teams. These amazing groups of individuals have a very real passion for property and doing construction not just well, but perfectly.
From the experts in our Planning teams to the Design teams, the Surveying, Estimating and Site teams and the stars working with our communities, everyone at Highwood plays an integral part of everything we do.
These are the people who are the real secrets of the Highwood success story.
NIGEL MEEK
CHAIRMAN
MARK BASKERVILLE
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
SIMON BEECH
LAND & SALES DIRECTOR
NATALIE BROWN
GROUP FINANCE DIRECTOR
JESSICA FORTE
PEOPLE & ESG DIRECTOR
MARTIN HAWTHORNE
PLANNING DIRECTOR
ELLIOT LORD
COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR
STEVE MATTHEWS
MANAGING DIRECTOR
PHIL PROSSER
DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
NIGEL MEEK
CHAIRMAN
Nigel joined Highwood as a founding Director and Shareholder. As Chairman, he continues draw on his extensive experience in the commercial and residential property sector to advise the Board as required.
MARK BASKERVILLE
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Mark joined Highwood early in 2018 following five years with leading retirement builder, McCarthy and Stone. He started his career at KPMG and has also spent a number of years working in the property maintenance sector. Today, Mark is tasked with driving the Board’s ambitious corporate strategy and ensuring Highwood maintains its position in the region’s property sector.
SIMON BEECH
LAND & SALES DIRECTOR
Simon joined Highwood in 2008 with a role to secure new land opportunities across the South for strategic development including sites for care, retirement and residential projects. He is also tasked with overseeing the sales of new homes with Highwood’s portfolio, notably for the landmark North Stoneham Park development. With an interest in property that was inspired by his family’s development business, Simon went on to establish a successful career in Land and New Homes within estate agency before joining Highwood.
NATALIE BROWN
GROUP FINANCE DIRECTOR
Natalie joined Highwood in October 2022 as Group Finance Director with responsibility for all financial matters, including budgeting, forecasting and business partnering alongside her ownership of Highwood’s IT function and strategy. Her previous roles were as Global Finance Director at Soho House and as Finance Director in PLC housebuilding and, before that, for a national infrastructure consultancy. Today, Natalie leads an experienced financial team who are passionate about making the business successful and creating quality places for our communities to live in.
JESSICA FORTE
PEOPLE & ESG DIRECTOR
Jess joined Highwood in 2018 as part-time HR Manager, taking advantage of the company’s flexible working approach to balance her career and life with two small children. She was promoted to Head of HR in March 2021 and appointed People and ESG Director in 2023, a role that brings responsibility for all people at Highwood and the Group’s Environment, Social and Governance agenda. Jess is tasked with developing and coordinating strategy that advances the Group’s ESG goals and raising awareness of our commitment to people and planet.
MARTIN HAWTHORNE
PLANNING DIRECTOR
Martin joined Highwood in 2019 to lead the Group’s respected in-house planning resource. Martin brings over 30 years’ experience as planner and lead consultant on many major residential developments, large-scale urban expansions, strategic plans, community consultations and masterplans. Martin was formerly Head of Planning – South for WYG and is a member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI).
ELLIOT LORD
COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR
Elliot joined Highwood in January 2016 following a post with international construction group, Balfour Beatty’s Mansell Homes brand and, before that, working overseas in the Caribbean and Canada. In 2018, Elliot was promoted to the position of Commercial Director, heading up Highwood’s Surveying, Estimating and Procurement departments and providing support to the Directors at Board level as Highwood’s growth continues.
STEVE MATTHEWS
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Steve joined Highwood Construction in 2004 to head up the organisation’s major social housing schemes. Having enjoyed a successful management career with Kier Partnership Homes since 1999, he then moved into retirement living and care home development with the Group. His wealth of operational experience ensured he has played a key role in the ongoing implementation of Highwood’s ambitious business development programme. Steve was appointed Managing Director in 2020 with a remit to lead the Group’s visionary strategic plan.
PHIL PROSSER
DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
Phil has 15 years’ property industry experience, including 13 years with Highwood. He was promoted to Development Director in 2020 with a remit to oversee Highwood’s development pipeline. Phil works closely with the company’s partners to deliver best-in-class care homes, retirement villages and housing developments to the highest standards of construction and which leave a lasting impact on our communities.
Interested in joining our team?
If you think you’ve got what it takes to enhance our team and grow with us, visit our Careers page and tell us about yourself.